- December 13, 2025
Imagine a device that, with just the point of your finger, could read aloud the words your eyes cannot see. It would impact almost every aspect of your daily life.
And for Paul DePalma, a graduate of the Conklin Davis Center for the Visually Impaired, the OrCam MyEye device will do just that.
"I did some research on it, and it's pretty amazing," DePalma said.
Developed by OrCam Technologies, an Israeli-based company that develops artificial intelligence devices to help the visually impaired, the OrCam MyEye is a voice-activated device that is able to be attached to any pair of eyeglasses, and can read text from books, phones, or other surfaces to help people live more independently. According to the company, the OrCam MyEye device also recognizes people's faces, identifies objects such as doors, colors and more, all offline. It costs $4,250.
The Jewish Federation of Volusia and Flagler Counties found themselves in possession of this device thanks to one of their local donors, Margaret Harrison, who had been interested by the fact the device was made in Jerusalem.
"I said, 'Well, if you can get one, I know the perfect place for it,'" said Marvin Miller, president of the Jewish Federation.
He and his wife, Phyllis, had seen the device featured before on "Dr. Phil," and she had a special connection with the Conklin Davis Center. About 40 years ago, Phyllis Miller was a volunteer at the center and served on the board for a time while the center was under the direction of its co-founder, Kathy Davis. The Conklin Davis Center, located at 405 White St., serves over 500 blind and visually impaired people in Volusia, Flagler, Putnam and Brevard counties.
Once Marvin Miller was in possession of the OrCam MyEye device, that inspired him to approach Conklin Davis Center board member Nancy Epps. He hopes that with support of the community, more devices can be donated in the future to help the center's students and graduates.
"Being part of the Jewish Federation, part of what we do is we support Israel, and getting this made in Jerusalem and coming back to support people in vision made us doubly proud," Marvin Miller said.
Miller handed DePalma a gift-wrapped box containing the new device on Thursday, June 3.
When DePalma found out he would be the first recipient affiliated with the Conklin Center to receive the OrCam MyEye, the first word that went through his mind was "Wow."
As someone who is legally blind, DePalma said he's looking forward to using it daily for things such as reading his mail as well as recipes — he likes to cook. Previously, he used a closed circuit television video magnifier, or CCTV, but it wasn't as practical.
"It was so bulky," DePalma said. "It was so big, and it was always in my way, and I wanted something a little smaller."
Mark Lawson, supported employment supervisor at the Conklin Davis Center, has known DePalma since he was a student at the center in 2017. Lawson assisted him with obtaining employment, and continues to assist with helping him continue to live independently after he graduated in 2018. It's of the center's promises to its clients — that they will be supported throughout the rest of their life, and it's made possible through community donations, as this is not funded by the state.
"It's a rarity that an organization will do lifelong services unpaid," Lawson said.
DePalma was determined by Lawson to be a good candidate for the OrCam MyEye device because he felt like it would help him in his employment as well. DePalma is a general assembler for LCI, a local manufacturer. He was offered a job after his first interview with them. It made him feel overwhelmed, he said.
DePalma thanked the donor, Harrison, though she was not present at the time he received the device.
"We are thrilled that it's here," Marvin Miller said. "And we look forward to Paul using it and helping others get it. We will promise you that we will have others behind this."
The Jewish Federations absorbs all of its administrative costs, and 100% of donations are used to help the community. Want to help the Jewish Federation acquire another OrCam MyEye device for the Conklin Davis Center? Checks can be made out to the Jewish Federation, located at 470 Andalusia Ave. in Ormond Beach. Visit http://jewishfederationdaytona.org/
